Subsidised dental care for adults on low incomes

This page summarises the options available in Canterbury for adults who need lower-cost dental care.

Urgent care

A dental emergency is defined as mouth pain, swelling, or an infection that's bad enough to cause you significant disruption.

Relief of Pain Clinic at the Hospital Dental Service

This is available Monday to Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm at the Relief of Pain Clinic at the Hospital Dental Service, for all New Zealand residents over the age of 65, and those on a WINZ benefit. Treatment is subsidised and costs up to $45 an appointment. To book an appointment phone (03) 364-0250. You can refer yourself to this clinic, you don't have to see your GP. The Hospital Dental Service is located at 2 Oxford Terrace.

Subsidised urgent care from a private dentist

Some private dentists have a contract with Canterbury DHB to provide subsidised urgent care for people who have a Community Services Card. To be eligible for subsidised emergency treatment you must live in Canterbury or the West Coast and have a current Community Services Card.

Emergency dental care is a one-off treatment of the problem. If you need further dental care, you'll have to pay the dentist’s usual fees for this.

Participating dental practices allow a for a 30 minute visit. During this time, a dentist will assess the problem and provide any necessary dental treatment.

If the dentist decides that the condition doesn't meet the definition of a dental emergency, they'll charge their usual fees.

You'll have to pay a co-payment of up to $40 for a visit under this scheme.

Participating dental practices

Practice name

Address

Phone number

Colombo Street Dental

201 Colombo St, Sydenham, Christchurch

(03) 337-4596

Darfield Dental

42 South Tce, Darfield

(03) 318-8392

Dentistry on Parkside

80 Park St, Ashburton

(03) 308-7472

G&E Dental

369 Main South Rd, Hornby, Christchurch

0800-433-368

52 Charles St, Rangiora

66 Rolleston Dr, Rolleston

Chertsey Rd, Methven

Halswell Dental

284 Halswell Rd, Halswell, Christchurch

(03) 322-9577

Hornby Dental

5 Tower St, Hornby, Christchurch

(03) 349-5059

Hoon Hay Dental Surgery

14 Lincoln Rd, Spreydon, Christchurch

(03) 338-4712

Linwood Dental Centre

211 Linwood Ave, Linwood, Christchurch

(03) 389-9730

Redwood Family Dentists

186 Main North Rd, Redwood, Christchurch

(03) 352-6186

Richmond Dental

45 North Avon Rd, Richmond, Christchurch

(03) 389-5923

Peter Van Kuijk

129 Williams St, Kaiapoi

(03) 327-7199

WINZ emergency grant

WINZ beneficiaries can apply for an emergency grant of up to $300, to pay for urgent dental care with any dentist. Talk to the dentist about applying for the grant before you start treatment.

UCSA dental scheme

Charity Hospital

WINZ beneficiaries in Christchurch who have used up their emergency grants for dental care can get a free, single course of treatment at the Canterbury Charity Hospital. You must be referred by a dentist.